After the leading lady breaks her ankle, inexperienced chorus girl Peggy Sawyer finds herself selected as replacement. One of the great musicals of all time. Today it seems replete with clichés, but most of them were invented in this very film. Received Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Sound Recording. Entered 1998 into the National Film Registry.

The contrasting combination of the driving tension created by Warner Baxter's magnificent performance as the stage director for the show being put on stage in the movie and the entertainment magic of the Busby Berkely ensemble pieces that form the stage show that was produced is wonderful.
The production number of the song 42nd street alone should be viewed by any budding music video artist. It is awesome and amazing that this number was done 75 years ago. It captures the nitty gritty "laughter and tears" of big city life better than so many of the gangstah videos.
Like many artists, as he gained greater control of his work in later films Busby removed the contrasting elements that highlighted the value of his enormous contributions.

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